I tried coming off Cymbalta last week. I felt as though I was going to die. I was so sick with nausea, and dizziness. I do not want to be on an antidepressant or anything else for the rest of my life, but I am not sure how to get off this stuff. I take the 60 mg capsule. Anyone else had this much of a problem with Cymbalta?
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I have actually been on Cymbalta for over 2 years...I titrated up to 60 mg and stayed there for about 18 months. Then I went down to 40 mg b/c of sexual side effects, but added Wellbutrin. I decided I didn't want to be on the Cymbalta at all anymore and went down to 20 mg. I felt awful for 2 days, but then fine--more energy than I've had in a LONG time. My doc told me I could quit altogether last week. So, I did. But now I feel so horrible and it doesn't seem to be getting better--dizziness, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, feel like crying every second...What is this??? Should I go back to the Cymbalta and taper off more gradually? Since they don't make anything lower than 20 mg, I would have to break the capsule pour it into juice or something. I read about doing this on a website and may try it. But now that it has been out of my system for 5 days, will this just make things worse?
HELP! I can barely go to work!
HELP! I can barely go to work!
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I've been tapering off of Cymbalta for quite awhile now. A good book to read about antidepressant withdrawl is "The Antidepressant Solution" by Dr. Joseph Glenmullen. He's a physchiatrist with Harvard and talks about the withdrawl effects of most antidepressants. I personally would go back on until the withdrawl stops then make your own capsules (buy empty ones at a health food store) of a lower dose, maybe 15 or 10mg. I've worked my way down to 5mg and tried to go off completely a few days ago. That didn't work so I'm back to 5mg and once the withdrawl effects stop, I'll try 2.5 mg. Everyone is different and can taper at different rates. This is one of the hardest things I've tried to do. Good Luck.
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I've been on this stuff for two years now. Have been tapering from 30 mg down to 20 etc...
Since you can't get the stuff in a tablet, and the capsules have those little balls not powder, they won't mix in juice, so I just measured a whole pills worth, and eyeball what looks like half. It's the only thing I could think of. I'm doing 20 mg every other day, and feel crappy.
I have been having headaches and intestinal upsets every day. I can't eat without my stomach going on a rampage against me!
Is this normal?
Any thoughts?
Since you can't get the stuff in a tablet, and the capsules have those little balls not powder, they won't mix in juice, so I just measured a whole pills worth, and eyeball what looks like half. It's the only thing I could think of. I'm doing 20 mg every other day, and feel crappy.
I have been having headaches and intestinal upsets every day. I can't eat without my stomach going on a rampage against me!
Is this normal?
Any thoughts?
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Hi. I have been reading lots of threads on this topic. I have been on Cymbalta for 2 years. I have heard that it is great for short term, but everyone, including myself, realizes that it stops working and you feel the same after awhile (several months). This drug is horrible. Here is another good msg board on the topic that helped me: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20061224/msgs/749307.html
I have heard that Benadryl helps also with the withdrawal, which includes a lot of nausea, but haven't heard anyone that has tried it. Anyway, I decided to go cold turkey 6 weeks ago since the meds weren't doing any good anymore, and still have the withdrawal. Just when you think you are done, it comes back. The "electric" impulses, the tingling of your hands, the nausea, the mood swings. I may have been depressed before, but at least I was not experiencing this. No one seems to know, either, how long this will last!! It is awful what this drug really does.
I have heard that Benadryl helps also with the withdrawal, which includes a lot of nausea, but haven't heard anyone that has tried it. Anyway, I decided to go cold turkey 6 weeks ago since the meds weren't doing any good anymore, and still have the withdrawal. Just when you think you are done, it comes back. The "electric" impulses, the tingling of your hands, the nausea, the mood swings. I may have been depressed before, but at least I was not experiencing this. No one seems to know, either, how long this will last!! It is awful what this drug really does.
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A couple of weeks ago, my doctor suggested Cymbalta to replace the Wellbutrin XL 300, and she gave me a "starter kit".... without the drug pamphlet. She told me to stay on the Wellbutrin, but to add a Cymbalta every other day for the first week; then, reduce to Wellbutrin XL 150 for the next week while taking the Cymbalta (30mg)... during the third week, I was supposed to have a Wellbutrin XL 150 every other day, and then be addicted to Cymbalta.
During week two, I realized the impact that many of you have voiced~ I took 4 naps last week in the middle of the day (I work out of my home)... I couldn't control it- I just HAD to sleep! So, I figured I would change the time that I took the pill to early evening, but found myself awake in the middle of the night, sweating my butt off. At the gym, I could not run on the Elliptical at my "normal" pace, and my heart rate (not that the machine is calibrated) started 20 beats slower than a week earlier. There was no improvement in my mood- if anything, my relationship with my husband wasn't as good, because I kept saying, "not tonight, dear"...
Anyway, after embarrassing myself at my neighbors' on Easter (I drank so much alcohol at their house, and didn't even feel it!)... I decided to reverse the Cymbalta/Wellbutrin XL pattern, and return to the Wellbutrin. I guess I'm fortunate that my body did not get used to this drug, because, while I am still tired, I can fight it with the Wellbutrin.
Thanks to all of you that have shared your stories. I did not know what I was getting myself into when I switched drugs because this one was "newer".... I think the only change I'll be making is my doctor!
During week two, I realized the impact that many of you have voiced~ I took 4 naps last week in the middle of the day (I work out of my home)... I couldn't control it- I just HAD to sleep! So, I figured I would change the time that I took the pill to early evening, but found myself awake in the middle of the night, sweating my butt off. At the gym, I could not run on the Elliptical at my "normal" pace, and my heart rate (not that the machine is calibrated) started 20 beats slower than a week earlier. There was no improvement in my mood- if anything, my relationship with my husband wasn't as good, because I kept saying, "not tonight, dear"...
Anyway, after embarrassing myself at my neighbors' on Easter (I drank so much alcohol at their house, and didn't even feel it!)... I decided to reverse the Cymbalta/Wellbutrin XL pattern, and return to the Wellbutrin. I guess I'm fortunate that my body did not get used to this drug, because, while I am still tired, I can fight it with the Wellbutrin.
Thanks to all of you that have shared your stories. I did not know what I was getting myself into when I switched drugs because this one was "newer".... I think the only change I'll be making is my doctor!
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I have been on cymbalta 60 mg for about six months and I have gained weight find that I am always hungry, anyway, I had a stomach virus for a couple of days and forgot to take my meds since I was in bed most of the time. Heaven help me. I thought I was crazy, the "head shocks" were scaring me to death, I was going to have my husband take me to the emergency room!!! Then I thought withdrawals. I looked it up and I'm sorry for all of you, but I'm glad to read these symptoms. I was so worried. I called my pharmacy and she said take one and I should feel better soon and I do. But like you guys now if I do want to stop taking it, I will be scared to death. Thanks for all the answers. :-( :-)
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I have now tried 3 times to stop cymbalta. the effects are worse than anything I have experienced before. I always end up starting again for the good of those around me but each time I feel that little bit more desparate in case I never manage to stop. My doctor says a half-life with the pills is better than life without them. I don't feel that I have a choice. I feel trapped and angry. Hs anyone manage to stop this drug?
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Yes, people have stopped the drug. A lot of it is down to the method of withdrawal.
Can I ask how your previous three attempts went in terms of:
1. What dose did you start from
2. How fast did you reduce (e.g. went from 60mg to 30mg, stayed at 30mg for x weeks, then dropped to....)
3. Did you do the miss-a-day withdrawal schedule (to be avoided at all costs, for very good reasons)
and, how long have you been on the drug?
Can I ask how your previous three attempts went in terms of:
1. What dose did you start from
2. How fast did you reduce (e.g. went from 60mg to 30mg, stayed at 30mg for x weeks, then dropped to....)
3. Did you do the miss-a-day withdrawal schedule (to be avoided at all costs, for very good reasons)
and, how long have you been on the drug?
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Hi, I began withdrawing from Cymbalta a little over a month ago. I was taking 30 mgs twice a day for nerve pain related to fibromyalgia, but it made me so fatigued I wanted to get off it. When I tried cutting back I got severe headaches and some nausea, and so I tried cutting back just a tiny bit (10-20 %) and then holding that dose for a week or two until the headaches stopped then cutting back a little more. However, even with the tiny drops in dosage, I was still having severe headaches. I have been taking 50 mgs of DHEA for about a year for fibromyalgia and fatigue, so I tried upping that dose from 50mgs to 100mgs to see if it would counteract the withdrawal symptoms from the Cymbalta. With the extra DHEA, the headaches went away and I have been able to get off the cymbalta completely with no more withdawal symptoms. If you are not presently taking DHEA, I'd recommend starting at 10-25 mgs. I am not sure it will help for all Cymbalta withdrawal symtoms but it has helped me for headaches, nausea, and fatigue. It seems to help the body adjust to the shift in neurotransmitters, and I think it prevents other hormones from falling along with the neurotransmitters. I don't know if it will help with depression or not. I found that cymbalta actually made me depressed, so just gettng off it has helped there. Good luck everyone.
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Have a plan. A slow drop in dosage is what is needed. Open the capsule and remove some of the med ever so carefully. Do that for a weeks worth, then the next week go a little more for a week and so on and so on. Look to do this gradually, it really works, comapared to the cold turkey methods and 10 or 20 mg changes, yuck. I have felt the pain of withdrawls too often but escaping any withdrawals, for get about it. This method I have been doing over a month now and the symptoms are there but not to the extremes I have felt in the past trying similar methods. I read that it literally takes 3 months to get off Cymbalta. Be patient do a little drop in doseage weekly. Invest in the 3 months and experience less stress of coming off this.
By the way, I've also read that Prozac is much easier to come off of. I have not tried it but if you are that sick its worth asking your Dr. about.
By the way, I've also read that Prozac is much easier to come off of. I have not tried it but if you are that sick its worth asking your Dr. about.
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Juliiet wrote:
I have been tapering off Cynbalta for several weeks now. I did 10 mg reductions for 2 weeks at a time per my psychiatrist. I also have been taking several vitamins and bought some vitamins. etc. from "The Road Back" organization (the Body Calm is very helpful with anxiety and sleep). It would be very difficult to do this without supplementing with vitamins and minerals. I have withdrawal symptoms but am still able to function. I do not think being on antidepressants for a long period of time is a solution for most people and I believe it has very detrimental effect on your body...as well as your mind. My depression and anxiety was caused by lifestyle and life experiences. I can say that through all of this, nothing can be as bad as having to be admitted to a hospital - which I think made everything worse, not better...I have one more week to go with my Cymbalta........God will get me through my life....not antidepressants...I had to learn all this the hard way. God Bless all who read this. Lisa
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I have been tapering off Cynbalta for several weeks now. I did 10 mg reductions for 2 weeks at a time per my psychiatrist. I also have been taking several vitamins and bought some vitamins. etc. from "The Road Back" organization (the Body Calm is very helpful with anxiety and sleep). It would be very difficult to do this without supplementing with vitamins and minerals. I have withdrawal symptoms but am still able to function. I do not think being on antidepressants for a long period of time is a solution for most people and I believe it has very detrimental effect on your body...as well as your mind. My depression and anxiety was caused by lifestyle and life experiences. I can say that through all of this, nothing can be as bad as having to be admitted to a hospital - which I think made everything worse, not better...I have one more week to go with my Cymbalta........God will get me through my life....not antidepressants...I had to learn all this the hard way. God Bless all who read this. Lisa
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I tried tapering down last year and was too sick to continue. This year i have been tapering off much more slowly -- one month at 60 mg, one of 50, one at 40. I am now at 30 mg. I still have a little nausea, sleepiness, headache, but not at all like it was when i tried tapering down over a few weeks. I am starting to think more clearly and feel like I am getting my mind back. Every time i drop down 10 mg., it takes several weeks for my body to adjust. Good luck! and tell everyone you know to stay away from this horrible drug!
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This year I decided I was tired of being numb to the world after being on antidepressants for at least 10 years. Originally the need for medication was there..but I realized it had become a way of life and I wanted to see who I was without medication. When I made this decision I was on Wellbutrin 300mg and Cymbalta 60mg. My doctor had prescribed Wellbutrin to counteract the weight gain of Cymbalta. Weaning off Wellbutrin was rather simple. After being off of that for a couple of weeks I began tapering down the Cymbalta. I have never felt so awful in my life. My husband supported me every step of the way..but it was so hard. I first tapered from 60mg per day to every other day for about 2 weeks. During that time the biggest problems were the fatigue and the headaches. Then I tried to stretch to every 3rd day...mistake...I cried, felt like I had the flu, couldn't go out to a store because of the anxiety. So I went back to every other day and then eventually decreased to 30 mg and after about two weeks stretched it to every 3rd day...on the third day I NEEDED that 30 mg. It is now 5 weeks later and I am happy to say that I am completely off of the meds. I cry easily but all other side effects are mostly gone. I still get a weird "pounding" noise occasionally in my ears..but the feeling being medicine free so outweighs the slight effects I feel. I am now trying to figure out how to deal with situations now that I "feel" everything! If you are having trouble with withdrawal symptoms, hang in there, and take is slowly...
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Oh my gosh, I am SO thankful I found this forum and all of the sharing here! I thought I was going crazy trying to get off this *&^&%* drug! I told my doctor last week I'd like to be off Cymbalta. I was on 60mg, for less than three months, but I just wanted to get away from an SSRI-type drug. So she gave me SEVEN days of 30mg and said that would do it!
HELLOOOOOOO, I don't THINK SO! I'm a mess! The "brain zaps" alone are enough to send anyone to the loony bin, I swear. I'm on my 2nd day of no Cymbalta and obviously was driven to look for help. I'll be leaving for the pharmacy as soon as I'm finished typing my post.
I went on Cymbalta to replace Zoloft/Wellbutrin. Just hated the Zoloft (flat affect, anyone?!) and my doctor said Cymbalta was a good, "new" drug that could replace both of them. I always took Wellbutrin for ADD, not depression, though. My doctor put me on Zoloft to combat mood swings from being perimenopausal. So I've just thrown two-plus years down the drain. Oh well, live and learn, I guess.
Thanks again to all of you for your heartfelt sharing. I hope to have something good to report in the next few days.
Gigi
HELLOOOOOOO, I don't THINK SO! I'm a mess! The "brain zaps" alone are enough to send anyone to the loony bin, I swear. I'm on my 2nd day of no Cymbalta and obviously was driven to look for help. I'll be leaving for the pharmacy as soon as I'm finished typing my post.
I went on Cymbalta to replace Zoloft/Wellbutrin. Just hated the Zoloft (flat affect, anyone?!) and my doctor said Cymbalta was a good, "new" drug that could replace both of them. I always took Wellbutrin for ADD, not depression, though. My doctor put me on Zoloft to combat mood swings from being perimenopausal. So I've just thrown two-plus years down the drain. Oh well, live and learn, I guess.
Thanks again to all of you for your heartfelt sharing. I hope to have something good to report in the next few days.
Gigi
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